CJKidz Games

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GAME IDEAS for Birthday or Everyday Play. Also see School Party Ideas

"Theme" = Whatever you've chosen your birthday or party theme to be.

MEMORY GAME

Put several of your theme items on a tray. Have the kids look at the items and then remove one. Take turns to guess what was removed?

HIDE AND SEEK

Hide one or two of your theme items in the party room. Have the kids hunt for the item.

HOT GIFT

Pass your theme item while music is playing, whoever has it when the music stops wins (or looses and is out)

LAUGHING GAME

Sit the kids in a circle. Throw a balloon in the air. When the balloon is in the air the kids have to laugh as much as they can. When it hits the ground the kids have to freeze and be quiet. Anyone who makes a noise after the balloon hits the ground is out. You can keep playing until the last player is left. Or, sit one child on a chair. The other children tell jokes, make faces to make the person on the chair laugh. The object is to keep a straight face or see who can go the longest without laughing.

DO YOU KNOW ME?

Make a list of 10 questions about the birthday child (favorite color, favorite movie, favorite food, favorite sport, color of eyes etc.) and print on a paper. Give three choices for an answer. Have the guest circle the answer that they think is correct. Whoever guesses the most correct answers gets a gift from the birthday child. This gives guest an opportunity to know more about the birthday child and makes the child feel that the party is all about him/her.  

YOU'RE MY BFF

If guest are old enough to write or draw, have them write one thing they like about the birthday child.... or draw a picture of themselves with the birthday child...or make a birthday card. Make sure they put their name on the item. This makes a great activity and also a keepsake for the birthday child's birthday keepsake book. Your Birthday Book: A Keepsake Journal 

PASS THE PICTURE

Have guest bring a picture of themselves. Put each guest picture in a separate envelope (big envelope so they are all the same size). Include a picture of the birthday child in one of the envelopes. Have guest sit in a circle, play music and pass the envelopes. When the music stops each child opens the envelope they are holding. Whoever has the picture of the birthday child WINS. Another option would be instead of passing the envelopes, they could draw the envelopes from a big box.

X MARKS THE SPOT

Mark the bottom of a theme plate with the birthday child's name, picture or a big "X". Whoever gets it when being served snacks or cake, wins a prize.

MUSICAL THEME/BIRTHDAY CHAIR

Decorate a chair which matches the birthday theme (Princess theme, decorate a princess chair. Superhero theme, tie a superhero cape to the chair). Play musical chairs with several chairs and the decorated chair.  Children walk in circles around the chairs.  When the music stops, whoever is able to sit in the decorated chair wins Have the birthday child sit in the decorated chair when opening presents or take turns in the chair to have the guest sit in the decorated chair as the birthday child opens their gift.

OTHER ACTIVITIES/IDEAS:

For young children, you can read a book as an activity (choose one from your theme above) or read a Birthday book. Books are great way to prepare kids for their birthday (especially when it is about sharing, inviting guest, eating too much cake etc.) You can also read a different book each week beginning the month before their birthday. This gives an excuse to read together, gets kids get excited for their birthday and makes a great tradition. Books make great party favors (giving a book the same as your theme) and a great activity for young kids at a party.  You can see some books to match your theme on our Birthday Page

Decorate the party/favor bags with theme stickers (this can be an activity) and then use to put their favors in. Make sure they write their name on their bag.

Play games to win pennies to buy their take home party favors. They save the pennies and choose from a table of favors/gifts which they buy at the end of the party. Or, allow them to win their favor immediately when they play games. Favors should be immediately put in their bags.

Make up activities about your theme (i.e. Puppy/Bolt party... have the kids bark or crawl like a dog. Frog party.... play leapfrog or who can jump the farthest. Disco party...do random dancing. When the music plays you dance, when it stops you freeze and stay frozen until the music starts again. Fancy Nancy...have a fashion show. Princess party...decorate a tiara. Luau party...play limbo or decorate a coconut. Superhero search for a superhero power ring, arm wrestle for strength, use superpowers to pop balloons, duck, duck goose using superhero cape, Horses....play horseshoes)

Many of the themes shown on the Birthday page have games, books, movies, puzzles, stickers, tattoos to go with them (click on the theme to see the items). Or, check out other activities & games on our activities page Kids Activities and Games.

For a birthday or party where guest are bringing gifts, sit in a circle each guest holds their gift. Start playing the music. Everyone must pass the gifts around until the music stops. When the music stops, the present the birthday child is holding gets opened. When the present is open, the music begins again and the remaining presents go around.  

Online learning games

Other Websites for Kid Friendly Activities or On Line Games or Learning

NASA KIDS' CLUB

Coolmath4kids